How Much is a Dental X-Ray Without Insurance?
How much is a dental X-ray without insurance in Canada?
The average cost of a dental X-ray without dental insurance in Canada starts around $23 to $60 per image. X-ray costs depend on the type of X-ray you need and the province where you’re receiving dental services.
Provincial dental fee guides may list prices for four different types of dental X-rays:
- Bitewing X-rays: The most common type of X-rays during a routine dental check-up. These capture an image of your upper and lower back teeth, including their crowns and the surfaces in between them. They’re used to monitor cavities.
- Periapical X-rays: These show a complete image of your tooth, including the root and bone structures below the gum line. They’re used to diagnose root infections and bone issues, so your dentist might order them before a root canal.
- Panoramic X-rays: These take a full panoramic image of your entire mouth, including your jaw. They’re usually used to evaluate things like wisdom teeth, impacted teeth, denture needs, and other major oral health issues.
- Full mouth series (FMX): A full mouth series of dental X-rays combines bitewing and periapical images to give a comprehensive picture of your oral health. They’re usually ordered for new patients to give a baseline for ongoing dental care.
A standard dental check-up includes two to four bitewing X-rays, for a total out-of-pocket cost of $46 to $240 per visit.
The tables below compare starting prices set by the dental association of each province for all four types of X-rays. Note that Manitoba and Quebec do not make their dental fee guides public.
Why dental X-ray prices vary
X-ray prices vary across Canada because they’re based on the fee guides sent by provincial dental associations. These fee guides, which are updated annually, take into account a wide range of factors that impact the cost of dental treatment, such as overhead costs for dental clinics and the equipment required to produce various types of radiographs.
Remember that the minimum fees set by provincial associations are just a guideline. Your dental office may charge more for your X-rays, particularly if you’re in an urban area with high costs.
Are dental X-rays mandatory?
You can refuse or postpone X-rays at the dentist; however, there are downsides to refusing X-rays when your dentist recommends them:
- Risk of missing dental problems: X-rays are an essential diagnostic tool that dental practices use to monitor the overall health of your teeth. Skipping X-rays could give small issues to turn into major ones, making costly procedures like fillings, extractions, or root canals necessary later on.
- Possible denial of care: Many dental practices may be willing to skip or postpone X-rays, especially for patients with consistently good oral health. But if you repeatedly refuse X-rays, your dentist has the right to refuse ongoing care, since they’re missing a key piece of the diagnostic process.
According to the Canadian Dental Association, healthy adults with no cavities or other oral health issues in the past few years likely don't need X-rays at every visit. However, you should consider X-rays an important part of ongoing preventive care, especially if you have any history of tooth issues.
If you’re tempted to skip dental X-rays at your next visit, ask your dentist or hygienist about why they’re required and how they fit into your ongoing dental care plan. Knowing what the X-rays are monitoring can help you to make informed decisions about whether or not to pay for images.
Is it cheaper to pay out of pocket or get dental insurance?
Most dental insurance plans in Canada cover between 80% and 100% of the cost of basic preventive care, including X-rays. That could reduce your out-of-pocket cost for routine bitewing X-rays to as little as $10–$48.
That said, dental insurance plans come with their own costs, averaging from $100 to $125 per month in insurance premiums.
Ultimately, dental X-ray costs are among the smallest expenses associated with dental care. It’s more important to look at the other dental procedures that health insurance covers, from dental exams and fluoride treatment to major procedures like root canals, tooth extractions, and dentures.
Is dental insurance worth it for X-rays?
To determine whether it’s worth getting dental coverage for X-rays, think about:
- Current dental spending: How much do you pay out of pocket at each dental visit? How many visits do you have per year?
- Expected dental spending: Are you dealing with significant dental problems, such as gum disease, bone loss, or tooth decay, that could lead to more expensive procedures down the road?
- Other healthcare costs: What other medical bills do you pay that aren’t covered by your provincial health plan?
A private health and dental plan from PolicyMe with insurance coverage for X-rays, dental cleaning, fillings, and more could start as low as $72/month for adults aged 21–44.
FAQ: How much is a dental X-ray without insurance?
Prices listed on this page are based on information available as of March 2026. The prices shown are for general reference only and may vary based on factors like your age, location, and product selection.